Whoa, when had I become the prime suspect? “That’s not what happened!”
“Was it an accident then?”
“No, you’ve got it all wrong…”
“He pulled on you and you fought over the gun? Did you shoot him, Mercy? Or was it Sam?”
“I didn’t shoot him, I…” The memory of Adam and Ben struggling over the gun burned behind my eyes, and I blinked away the threat of tears.
“That’s who you’re protecting now, isn’t it?” Her voice dropped, taking an almost sympathetic tone. Almost. “Look, I want to help you. I know you’re not a killer, but this guy is,” she pointed to Sam’s picture.
I shot Adam a pleading look, what was I supposed to do now? He must have popped into normal view because she jumped back a foot, hand going to her hip.
“We’re done here,” Adam slid my purse across the table, gesturing for me to get up. Detective Santiago got right up in his face, blocking the exit.
“We’re done when I say we’re done. Who are you and how the hell did you get in here?”
“Are you charging her with anything?”
“Adam, please…” I wanted out of there alright, but she looked mad enough to spit nails, and it didn’t look like she’d let go without a fight.
“Let me handle this, Mercy. Are you?”
The detective’s jaw worked as she took a moment to pull together the right words. “Not at this time.”
“Then that’s it. We’re done,” Adam smiled smugly. “You might like to pull this shit with the scum you normally pull off the street, but Mercy is under my protection. Remember that.”
“Who are you exactly?” she asked, eyes sweeping over his face, I’m guessing so she could give a good description to the police sketch artist.
“Mercy belongs to me, that’s all you need to know.”
“I thought she was seeing Mr. Davies?”
“I was…” I interjected, more than a little bothered by all the talk about anyone owning me, even Adam.
“He was just keeping her warm for me until I got back from an extended business trip,” Adam smiled wolfishly.
“And what business are you in Mr…”
“Anderson. And my business is my own.”
“Obstructing justice is
my
business Mr. Anderson,” she challenged, but Adam held his ground admirably.
“You’re not after justice, Detective. You’re after revenge for what you think happened to Ben. Well, I’m here to tell you, you’ll need more than threats and swagger to lay anything at our door. So, why don’t you give it a rest before I report you for harassment?”
It looked like she was seconds away from losing her temper and punching Adam in the face, but instead she took a step backwards, her eyes deeply hooded with anger. “The next time we meet like this I suggest you change your tune, Miss Renault.” The words were directed at me, but her gaze remained fixed on Adam. “
Threats and swagger
won’t protect you for very long.”
“Long enough,” Adam replied loftily, taking my arm and all but dragging me out of there. “I can’t leave you alone for ten minutes and you’re getting into all sorts of trouble, aren’t you?” Adam shook his head, not at all disturbed by what had just gone down.
“I told you we have to get Ben back, and fast,” I hissed as soon as we were on the street. “I’m not so sure you did me any favors back there, you know.”
“I got you out of there, didn’t I?”
“Yeah, but she hates me even more now than she did before.”
“I’ve got a news flash for you, that woman hates everyone, it’s an occupational hazard. Give up the idea you’ll ever be BFF’s and you’ll be fine. In the meantime, it looks like we need to ramp up the Ben plan before any more crazy hits the fan. Let’s go see our little miss ace in the hole.”
Chapter Twelve
Instead of catching the bus, as I was prepared to do since Detective Santiago had insisted on giving me a ride to the precinct, Adam led me to a sleek black Audi. “Are you kidding me? This is your car?”
“It’s one of them, yes,” he grinned smugly, and I couldn’t help but be a little impressed. More elegant than Parker’s flashy muscle car, it was easily the nicest car I’d ever ridden in before.
“Seriously, where does the money come from?”
“Don’t worry your pretty little head about it,” he smirked, smoothly tooling the car through the city streets. I let it go again, vowing to dig deeper when I had less pressing matters to worry about.
“I should probably call Parker, tell him I’m alright and I’ll be in later.”
“Might as well tell him you’ll be out the rest of the shift. We have to work out logistics on the trade.”
“We can do that later, I can’t no-show, there are people counting on me.”
“Parker won’t care. Why do you even have that job, you shouldn’t have to work.”
“Ah… because I have this thing about eating and sleeping with a roof over my head? Not all of us are mysteriously wealthy. In fact, none of us are. Apart from you and Sam, the rest of us have to earn a living.”
“Why not come and stay with me? I’ll take care of you.” He shrugged like it was a no brainer.
“Um, maybe because you’ve never invited me to before? I don’t even know where you live, remember?”
“That’s easily fixed. It’s not too far from here, in a much better neighborhood than Sam’s place, of course. There’s more than enough room for the both of us, and Mimsy too.”
“You really want me to move in with you?” I had to admit, the idea of being taken care of, especially by Adam, didn’t suck. I wouldn’t miss the long hours on my feet, or worrying about whether I wanted to buy a pair of boots or pay the heating bill that month. But chucking it all and becoming reliant on another person for all of my needs… it had me more than a little nervous.
“You don’t want to?” A pucker of worry appeared on his forehead. “I’m serious about making a life with you here, that wasn’t just pillow talk. But if you want your space…”
“No, it’s not that… you caught me by surprise, that’s all. I think it’s a good idea, but are you sure? When’s the last time you lived with a woman? Wait… don’t answer that.” I had visions of him living in a commune in the sixties, or shacked up with a house full of sorority sisters in the eighties.
“I think I can handle sharing my space with you.”
“And Mimsy.”
“And a cat.”
“What about Nelo?” I couldn’t possibly abandon the little guy. He might not like living with another fallen angel, but I knew he would want to stick close to me.
“Ah… sure, I guess, Nelo can come too. Any other strays you want to take in? Should I get an apartment built over the garage for your brother?”
I couldn’t help but laugh, Matty would love that. “Let’s start small. I’d like to keep you to myself as much as possible.”
“Sounds good to me.” He laid his hand over mine and I enjoyed that simple contact until we got to Sam’s apartment. The idea of quitting my job I decided to defer for another day.
Sam opened the door before I could raise my hand to knock, a slightly wild look in his eyes. “You’re it,” he tagged me on the hand, squeezing past us through the door and out the hallway.
“What?” I called after him, but he was through the stairwell door before I knew it. Trading a helpless look with Adam, we entered the apartment, unsure as to what we’d find. Inside, Matty and Oriana sat on the pair of easy chairs, watching a cartoon movie with 3D glasses on. “I guess it’s our turn to babysit,” I murmured, as Adam shut the door behind us. “Hey, Matt…? Can we talk to you for a minute?”
“Hold up, this is the best part.”
“For chrissakes…” Adam grabbed the remote, pausing the movie. “Do you think you could spare us a sec, sport?”
“Oh… they’re frozen in time,” Oriana frowned at the television screen. “Will the spell last long?”
“Not too long, we need to talk for a few minutes, that’s all. How are things going here, Matty? Is she settling in alright?” I asked, glad to see him take off the 3D glasses, though Oriana kept hers on.
“Yeah, it’s been great. We stayed up all night talking, and I showed her some of my favorite movies and music. She’s never heard the Strokes before, can you believe it?”
“It’s a real shocker,” Adam deadpanned. “I’m glad you two kiddies are getting along so well. Want to tell me what had Uncle Sammy running for the hills the moment we got here?”
“Did he leave?” Matty looked around the apartment in surprise. “I hadn’t noticed.”
“Everything’s okay then?” I prompted, he was acting a little strange.
“Yeah, Oriana’s really cool,” he grinned, and I recognized that look.
“Uh oh… Matt, you know we have to send her back, right? In fact, that’s why we’re here, to figure out the best way to trade her back to Raum for Ben.”
“No…” He drew us closer to the door, lowering his voice. “We can’t send her back there.”
“Why not? Can you seriously see her functioning here? She’s been there for so long she doesn’t remember what it’s like to live with people.” Looking up, I noticed Oriana had risen from the chair and danced and swayed to the soundless music in her head.
“Besides, Raum won’t let her go, he’ll come after her. Why not use that to our advantage?” Adam pointed out, even as Matty shook his head.
“That’s totally unfair. She didn’t do anything to deserve being trapped in that… that… that demon hole.” Matty got more and more agitated by the second. “It’s a miracle she’s in as good a shape as she’s in. How can you talk about sending her back?”
“Hey, take a breath,” I laid a hand on his arm, sending him soothing Grace. “We talked about sending her back from the start, you knew that, Matty. I’m sorry it’s not fair, but that’s the way of the world. It’s not fair Ben’s trapped in Midian either,” I darted a quick look to Adam. “Maybe… maybe the time will come when we can get her out again. Or, maybe she’ll wander out on her own again, we didn’t take her this time, she got out all by herself.”
“That’s true,” he considered. “Maybe he’d let her come and visit?”
I knew that was nothing more than a pipe dream, but I held my tongue, wanting him to find his peace with the decision that had already been made. “It’s for the best, Matty, you’ll see.”
“When are you taking her?”
I traded looks with Adam. “As soon as possible. The cops are breathing down our necks. We’ve got to get Ben back before I end up in jail or worse.”
“So, we’ve got through tonight maybe? Or the night after?”
“Any more than that and we’re risking Raum finding her here first,” Adam nodded. “Trust me, you don’t want that, no matter how much she likes your taste in music.”
“Okay,” Matt nodded, his shoulders slumping in defeat. “You can count on me, I’ll keep her safe.”
“Good man,” Adam clapped him on the shoulder. “Tell Sam he’s back on guard duty, Mercy and I have to go… liaise.”
“We do?” I blinked, “Um, yeah… we do,” I nodded, wondering what he had in mind. “See you later, Oriana.”
“Will you? Or will I be hidden from divine eyes?” she asked seriously. I didn’t have an answer for that, and settled for giving her an awkward wave.
“Talk about bats in the belfry,” Adam murmured as we stepped into the elevator.
“She can’t help it, she’s been through a lot. For all we know she could have been normal before Raum took her.”
“Something tells me that girl hasn’t been right in the head since the day she was born.”
“Too bad Matty got attached to her,” I sighed, linking my arm with his.
“You know what they say, better to have loved and lost, then never to have loved at all.”
* * *
Only Matty didn’t lose her at all. By the time we all met up at my place after work, (I’d had to explain to Adam about commitments again, I still don’t think he truly got my point) Sam was waiting there. Or I should say pacing, because he looked like he’d had eight shots of espresso with an energy shot chaser. I could hear Nelo fussing around in the bathroom again, my guess is he wanted to steer clear of Sam in his agitated state.
“They are gone.”
“Who’s gone?”
“Oriana and your duplicitous brother,” Sam thrust a creased sheaf of paper at me. I took the paper with a groan of dread, knowing what I’d find inside. In Matty’s cramped scrawl, I read his goodbye note.
Sorry, but I couldn’t let you take her. I think she’s the one, Mercy. My Venus. I have to keep her safe. I hope someday you can forgive me.
Love, Matty
“Oh, sweet Mary…” I murmured, handing the letter over to Adam, who promptly swore in a language I didn’t recognize and crumpled the letter into a ball. “I can’t believe he did this. He completely screwed us over a girl he just met a day ago.” I’d always known my brother was a little flaky, but that… that went beyond anything he’d ever done before.
“How could you let this happen?” Adam turned on Sam with a snarl, and he recoiled with guilt.
“How was I to know he would kidnap the witch? They seemed to be getting along famously, so I…”
“What did you do?”
Even before Sam replied, I could tell by his face what had happened. “I left to go meet Daphne. He said he would guard her with his life.”
“Great, just great!” Adam threw the balled up note across the room.
“Calm down, maybe we can find them.” How far could they have gotten in a few hours after all?
“How? I’m good, but I’m not that good. I’ll catch up with them eventually, it’s not like your brother’s a rocket scientist, but before the solstice deadline?” Adam shook his head.
“I will go. It’s my failure, I will bring the witch back,” Sam volunteered solemnly, but I wasn’t convinced that was the best plan of action.
“No… you both know what we need to do.”
Adam’s face was resolute, blue eyes blazing. “No way, not a chance in hell.”
“Do you see any other way? We’ll have to bust in there and steal Ben back. We’ll deal with Raum’s wrath later.”
“I will go,” Sam repeated. “I vow to track them down and bring them back. Perhaps I can find them before the solstice, but in either case, I will bring back Raum’s prize.”